At a glance
| Factor | Tokyo | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | JPY 2,800,000 to 4,200,000 (USD 18,500 to 28,000) at ASIJ, Nishimachi, BST and TIS | KRW 30 to 55 million (USD 22,000 to 40,000) at SFS, KIS, SIS, Chadwick and Dulwich Seoul |
| Dominant curricula | American, British, IB, French, Japanese-international bilingual | American, IB, British, Korean bilingual |
| Cost of living (Numbeo, May 2026) | Tokyo is roughly 15 to 25 percent cheaper than Singapore or Hong Kong in 2026 thanks to a weak yen (Numbeo, May 2026) | Seoul is roughly 15 to 25 percent cheaper than Tokyo or Singapore (Numbeo, May 2026) |
| Family visa | Highly Skilled Professional visa, Engineer or Specialist visa with dependant visas, Business Manager visa | F-2 long-term resident visa, E-7 specialist work visa, D-8 corporate transferee with family F-3 dependant visas |
| Expat share of population | Foreign-born share of Tokyo metro is around 4 percent | Foreign-born share of Seoul is around 3 percent |
Tokyo is japan posting families, weak-yen value, exceptionally safe and clean city, world-class american and british schools and excellent regional asia connectivity. Seoul is k-tech and chaebol families, very strong american curriculum option at sfs and kis, exceptionally safe public spaces and a vibrant asia regional hub. Both deliver credible IB and British pathways at the top of the market.
Schools landscape side by side
Tokyo families work with a school market built around American, British, IB, French, Japanese-international bilingual. Flagships include American School in Japan (ASIJ), British School in Tokyo (BST), Tokyo International School (TIS), Saint Marys International School, Nishimachi International School and Yokohama International School. See the Tokyo schools hub for the full city list and admissions windows.
Seoul runs a American, IB, British, Korean bilingual mix. Flagships include Seoul Foreign School (SFS), Korea International School (KIS), Seoul International School (SIS), Chadwick International in Songdo, Dulwich College Seoul. See the Seoul schools hub for fee comparisons and curriculum filters.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
In Tokyo, secondary and IB Diploma fees run JPY 2,800,000 to 4,200,000 (USD 18,500 to 28,000) at ASIJ, Nishimachi, BST and TIS. Add transport, lunch, uniform and a one-off capital levy or enrolment fee at most premium schools, which typically lifts the headline by 10 to 25 percent in Year 1. See the fees explorer to view distribution by curriculum.
In Seoul, secondary and IB Diploma fees run KRW 30 to 55 million (USD 22,000 to 40,000) at SFS, KIS, SIS, Chadwick and Dulwich Seoul. The same all-in costs apply: registration, capital fees, transport and exam years bring the published tuition closer to the true annual outlay. Most families on corporate packages have tuition covered up to a cap; independent movers should budget the full all-in figure.
Curriculum availability
Both cities cover the major international curricula. Tokyo leans toward American at the premium end. Seoul leans toward American at the premium end. The IB Diploma remains the most portable credential in either city for families who expect a further relocation in five years. See the IB hub for cross-city analysis and the British curriculum hub for IGCSE and A Level coverage.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Tokyo families pick Minato (Hiroo, Azabu, Roppongi), Shibuya (Shoto, Hiroo border), Setagaya (Denenchofu, Seijo) and Yokohama for ASIJ. School proximity drives most decisions, with weekend lifestyle and commute distance the secondary factors.
In Seoul families pick Yongsan (Hannam, Itaewon, UN Village), Gangnam (Apgujeong), Seongbuk and Songdo for Chadwick International. The same rules apply: shortlist your three preferred schools first, then pick a neighbourhood within a 25 minute drive or transit ride.
Lifestyle and climate
Tokyo sits in a Humid subtropical, 2 to 10 in winter and 24 to 32 in summer with a rainy season in June. Seoul sits in a Continental humid, minus 6 to 4 in winter and 22 to 30 in summer with a short rainy season. Outdoor sport, weekend activities and the daily commute look very different city to city, and this often matters more than parents expect over a four or five year posting. Family safety, healthcare and air quality are within international norms in both cities, with the specifics covered in each Tokyo and Seoul hub.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Tokyo if you want Japan posting families, weak-yen value, exceptionally safe and clean city, world-class American and British schools and excellent regional Asia connectivity. The typical relocating family lands on a corporate package that covers tuition up to a cap, with housing and an annual flight allowance also included. Five-year savings versus rival hubs can be material once tax and schooling are netted out.
Choose Seoul if you want K-tech and chaebol families, very strong American curriculum option at SFS and KIS, exceptionally safe public spaces and a vibrant Asia regional hub. Most relocating families work the numbers through the cost calculator and then take the school finder quiz to shortlist three schools per city before committing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tokyo or Seoul cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Tokyo secondary fees sit at JPY 2,800,000 to 4,200,000 (USD 18,500 to 28,000) at ASIJ, Nishimachi, BST and TIS. Seoul secondary fees sit at KRW 30 to 55 million (USD 22,000 to 40,000) at SFS, KIS, SIS, Chadwick and Dulwich Seoul. Combined with cost of living, families typically find one city materially cheaper depending on tax position and corporate package, see the verdict section for the full picture.
Which city has stronger international schools?
Tokyo flagships include American School in Japan (ASIJ), British School in Tokyo (BST), Tokyo International School (TIS), Saint Marys International School, Nishimachi International School and Yokohama International School. Seoul flagships include Seoul Foreign School (SFS), Korea International School (KIS), Seoul International School (SIS), Chadwick International in Songdo, Dulwich College Seoul. Quality at the top is comparable; depth of British versus IB versus American provision is where the two cities diverge most.
Is the family visa easier in Tokyo or Seoul?
Tokyo uses Highly Skilled Professional visa, Engineer or Specialist visa with dependant visas, Business Manager visa. Seoul uses F-2 long-term resident visa, E-7 specialist work visa, D-8 corporate transferee with family F-3 dependant visas. Most relocating families clear visas in four to twelve weeks in either city, though the route taken depends on employer and nationality.
How does the climate compare for families?
Tokyo sits in a Humid subtropical, 2 to 10 in winter and 24 to 32 in summer with a rainy season in June. Seoul sits in a Continental humid, minus 6 to 4 in winter and 22 to 30 in summer with a short rainy season. Climate is one of the bigger lifestyle differences and worth weighing against schooling and pay.
Where do most expat families live in each city?
In Tokyo families cluster in Minato (Hiroo, Azabu, Roppongi), Shibuya (Shoto, Hiroo border), Setagaya (Denenchofu, Seijo) and Yokohama for ASIJ. In Seoul families pick Yongsan (Hannam, Itaewon, UN Village), Gangnam (Apgujeong), Seongbuk and Songdo for Chadwick International. School proximity, commute and lifestyle drive the choice.
